Middle Farm, Mosedale

Middle Farm, Mosedale, Mungrisdale, Penrith, Cumbria: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment

Prior to a proposed programme of alterations to Middle Farm, Mosedale, Mungrisdale, Penrith, which is Grade II Listed, Greenlane Archaeology was carried out a desk-based assessment of the site. Numerous datestones can be connected to a number of members of the Mark (or Marke) family who were connected to the Quaker movement from its earliest arrival in Mosedale in the 1650s. A reasonable amount of detail of the occupiers has been established but the available mapping is of limited use as it post-dates the construction of much of the building. A site visit revealed that much of the original fabric of the 17th century cottage and early 18th century yeoman farmer’s farmhouse remain. The property represents a remarkable collection of late 17th and early 18th century structures, with the earliest cottage a very rare survival of a one unit cottage with inglenook fireplace. The building saw a complex process of development throughout the late 17th and early 18th century, presumably reflecting the improving fortunes of the Mark family. Latterly, however, it became a more basic farmhouse.

The full report will be made available on the Archaeology Data Service website.